Genesis - Trick of the Tail (CD/DVD)

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007. Album Description

Worst version of the band's best album

The single star rating is for the sound quality. Otherwise this is a five star album, and indeed the band's best. If you own only one Genesis album, make it this one. But not this version.

Thanks to horrendous EQ (highs and lows boosted, mids cut), a mix that brings some things WAY too far to the front (cymbals) and WAY too much compression (little dynamic range and drums shoehorned into the mix with little or no punch), this version will fatigue your ears very quickly and give you a headache not long after that.

So which CD of "Trick" sounds the best? Surprisingly it's the original disc that came out in the late eighties (labeled on Amazon as coming out in 1990, but I think it was earlier). It's worth seeking out. It IS better than the 1994 definitive edition remaster, which itself is still preferable to the 2007 disc). The '94 has audible digital tweaking artifacts that make it less satisfying than the original. The highs are over bright. Nick Davis had a hand in the '94 remastering. Hmm. Maybe my ear is just at odds with his, but I think he was trying to fix something that wasn't broken.

The original CD master has a full, clean sound. There was absolutely no need to boost the high end. The drums take their proper place over the top of the mix and deliver punch the way they are supposed to. You won't hear that on the 2007 disc. The original disc has more depth and clarity. It just isn't as loud as the newer version. And that's why you have a volume knob folks! Turn up the old disc and revel in its power. The new one doesn't sound good at any volume.

Musically this is the band's most solid effort, even though Phil had just stepped up to the mic as the lead singer. The writing is a bit more concise than the Gabriel years, but the songs still employ odd time signatures and stretch out enough to take you places. There really isn't a weak moment on the entire album.

If you do get the 2007 version for the DVD extras, just be sure to also get the original CD master - while you still can. June 27, 2008

The 1994 Definitive reissues are still the Definitive versions.

Listen to the over the top saturation and additional reverb and treble added to these Rhino mixes before you decide to unload your old Atco or 1994 Definitive remastered versions of Genesis albums in order to be replaced by these Rhino reissues.

Rhino apparently felt they needed to fix something that was not broken. They 'fixed' it alright. They fixed it so that it is overly loud and almost unlistenable to any long time Genesis fan who is familiar with how these albums should actually sound.

The saving grace is the bonus DVD with the surround mix of the album, the videos from the album and the awesome Genesis Live 1976 concert footage.

Buy it for the DVD, but not if you're just looking for a better remaster of the original album. Because the 94 reissues still sound best. March 31, 2008

Best pre-pop era Genesis

Before Phil Collins took this art-rock band to "pop" stratus level, this album came out and is a fantastic collection of songs.

Songs tell stories and are yet catchy and great to sit back and listen to without any other distractions (recalling the days people would sit and listen to music).

March 22, 2008

Just one complaint...tinny cymbals on Dance

Incredible musicianship. Steve Hackett still on board. Great video from '76 concert footage. When I first put it on the tinny sound of the cymbals on Dance on the Volcano was so obvious...compression out the wazoo? Since I went out of my way to get the non-US SACD/DVD version, this was a particular disappointment. Otherwise, it is a high recommendation because of content. After Dance, other songs didn't appear as tinny on percussion. Who knows? I was happy enough to get Duke and Abacab. February 3, 2008

Annoying

Ok, the music is great and sounds just like I expected, BUT once again (like the Duke CD/DVD) the concert footage is poorly remastered! The audio track does NOT match the video...Phil sings, but his vocals arrive a 'touch' late. Arrrgh! Same annoying problem on the 'enhanced' Duke 1980 concert footage.

I have the VHS of that Trick of the Tail 1976 concert, and the audio is spot on. Also, the interviews on this DVD are perfect soundtrack-wise, so what's up with the concert audio? Is it just me? I bought the CD/DVD primarily for the incredible Glasgow '76 concert footage, but feel frustrated. Any comments? Help?
January 19, 2008

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